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Sub-Saharan Africa / BWA

Botswana

Botswana flag
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2021 Factbook flag mirror; image identity has not been individually audited. Source.

Last updated: October 29, 2026

World Bank directory: capital Gaborone · -24.6544°, 25.9201° · sourceRetrieved 2026-10-29 · single source, unverified; directory metadata may be stale.
Botswana: CIA World Factbook map from 2021; original boundary notes preserved.
ⓘCIA World Factbook map, February 2021 media edition. Identity reviewed; current boundaries have not been audited. visual contact sheet or original identity check; does not verify current boundaries Boundaries, place names and designations may be dated or disputed; original annotations retained. SHA-256: 895e14fc4d56d4409c72f2639e7563e8ae70d6545bf681c3115eeebfa4145b30. Provenance and inspection record.

Introduction

Background:1

In the early 1800s, multiple political entities in what is now Botswana were destabilized or destroyed by a series of conflicts and population movements in southern Africa. By the end of this period, the Tswana ethnic group, who also live across the border in South Africa, had become the most prominent group in the area. In 1852, Tswana forces halted the expansion of white Afrikaner settlers who were seeking to expand their territory northwards into what is now Botswana. In 1885, Great Britain claimed territory that roughly corresponds with modern day Botswana as a protectorate called Bechuanaland. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana, which means "land of the Tswana."

More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created an enduring democracy and upper-middle-income economy. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe MASISI assumed the presidency in 2018 after the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI won his first election as president in 2019, and he is Botswana’s fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Geography

Location:2

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Geographic coordinates:3

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Map references:4

Africa

Area:5

Surface area: 581,730 square kilometers (2024)

total:581,730 sq km
land:566,730 sq km
water:15,000 sq km

Area - comparative:7

slightly smaller than Texas; almost four times the size of Illinois

Land boundaries:8

total:4,347.15 km
border countries (4):Namibia 1,544 km; South Africa 1,969 km; Zambia 0.15 km; Zimbabwe 834 km

Coastline:9

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:10

none (landlocked)

Climate:11

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Terrain:12

predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest

Elevation:13

highest point:Manyelanong Hill 1,495 m
lowest point:junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
mean elevation:1,013 m

Natural resources:14

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Land use:15

agricultural land:45.6% (2023 est.)
arable land:0.5% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:0% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:45.2% (2023 est.)
forest:27.8% (2023 est.)
other:26.6% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land:16

25 sq km (2014)

Major rivers (by length in km):17

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km

note:[s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km):18

Atlantic Ocean drainage:Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage:Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage:Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

Major aquifers:19

Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Population distribution:20

the population is primarily concentrated in the east, with a focus in and around the capital of Gaborone and the eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari Desert to the west.

Natural hazards:21

periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Geography - note:22

landlocked; sparsely populated with most settlement concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country; geography dominated by the Kalahari Desert, which covers about 70% of the country, although the Okavango Delta brings considerable biodiversity as one of the largest inland deltas in the World

People and Society

Population:23

Population: 2,562,122 people (2025)

total:2,450,668 (2024 est.)
male:1,174,306
female:1,276,362

Nationality:25

noun:Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective:Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Ethnic groups:26

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7%

Languages:27

Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.)

Religions:28

Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

Age structure:29

0-14 years:28.7% (male 355,583/female 348,863)
15-64 years:65.2% (male 759,210/female 837,752)
65 years and over:6.1% (2024 est.) (male 59,513/female 89,747)

Dependency ratios:30

total dependency ratio:53.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio:44.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:9.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio:10.7 (2024 est.)

Median age:31

total:27.1 years (2024 est.)
male:26 years
female:28.3 years

Population growth rate:32

Population growth rate: 1.61 % annually (2025)

1.34% (2024 est.)

Birth rate:34

Crude birth rate: 24.36 births per 1,000 people (2024)

19.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate:36

Crude death rate: 5.74 deaths per 1,000 people (2024)

8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate:38

2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution:39

the population is primarily concentrated in the east, with a focus in and around the capital of Gaborone and the eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari Desert to the west.

Urbanization:40

Urban population: 67.96 % of population (2025)

urban population:72.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population:42

269,000 GABORONE (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio:43

at birth:1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.66 male(s)/female
total population:0.92 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio:44

Maternal mortality ratio: 155 deaths per 100,000 live births (2023)

155 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate:46

Infant mortality rate: 32.1 deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

total:23.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male:25.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female:21.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:48

Life expectancy at birth: 69.29 years (2024)

total population:66.4 years (2024 est.)
male:64.4 years
female:68.6 years

Total fertility rate:50

Total fertility rate: 2.7 births per woman (2024)

2.34 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Gross reproduction rate:52

1.15 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source:53

At least basic drinking water services: 91.77 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:97.5% of population (2022 est.)
rural:79.6% of population (2022 est.)
total:92.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:2.5% of population (2022 est.)
rural:20.4% of population (2022 est.)
total:7.4% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure:55

Current health expenditure: 6.26 % of GDP (2023)

Health expenditure (as % of GDP):6.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget):14.6% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density:57

Physicians: 0.38 per 1,000 people (2023)

0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density:59

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access:60

At least basic sanitation services: 72.12 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:94.9% of population (2022 est.)
rural:63% of population (2022 est.)
total:86% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:5.1% of population (2022 est.)
rural:37% of population (2022 est.)
total:14% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:62

18.9% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita:63

total:5.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer:2.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine:0.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits:0.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols:1.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use:64

total:17.1% (2025 est.)
male:29.2% (2025 est.)
female:5.5% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49):65

45% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure:66

Government education expenditure: 8.06 % of GDP (2020)

Education expenditure (% GDP):8.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget):21.5% national budget (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):68

total:12 years (2021 est.)
male:12 years (2021 est.)
female:13 years (2021 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues:69

overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources; air pollution

International environmental agreements:70

party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Climate:71

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Land use:72

agricultural land:45.6% (2023 est.)
arable land:0.5% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:0% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:45.2% (2023 est.)
forest:27.8% (2023 est.)
other:26.6% (2023 est.)

Urbanization:73

urban population:72.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions:74

total emissions:5.897 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke:2.818 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids:3.079 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions:75

12.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Methane emissions:76

energy:26 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture:144 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste:841.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
other:1.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling:77

municipal solid waste generated annually:210,900 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled:21% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal:78

municipal:129.327 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial:24.295 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural:59.661 million cubic meters (2022)

Total renewable water resources:79

12.24 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name:80

conventional long form:Republic of Botswana
conventional short form:Botswana
local long form:Republic of Botswana
local short form:Botswana
former:Bechuanaland
etymology:the name Botswana means "Land of the Tswana," referring to the country's largest ethnic group

Government type:81

parliamentary republic

Capital:82

name:Gaborone
geographic coordinates:24 38 S, 25 54 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology:named after GABORONE (ca. 1825-1931), a chief of the Tlokwa tribe, whose name means "it is not unbecoming"

Administrative divisions:83

10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town*

Legal system:84

mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model, including customary and common law

Constitution:85

history:previous 1960 (pre-independence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
amendment process:proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval in two successive Assembly votes with at least two-thirds majority in the final vote; proposals to amend constitutional provisions on fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and branches of government, and public services also requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and assent by the president of the republic

International law organization participation:86

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship:87

citizenship by birth:no
citizenship by descent only:at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana
dual citizenship recognized:no
residency requirement for naturalization:10 years

Suffrage:88

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:89

chief of state:President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)
head of government:President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president
election/appointment process:president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); vice president appointed by the president
most recent election date:31 October 2024
election results:BOKO's UDC won 35 seats in the National Assembly, which then selected BOKO as president
expected date of next election:October 2029

Legislative branch:90

legislature name:Parliament
legislative structure:unicameral
chamber name:National Assembly
number of seats:69 (61 directly elected; 6 indirectly elected)
electoral system:plurality/majority
scope of elections:full renewal
term in office:5 years
most recent election date:10/30/2024
parties elected and seats per party:Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) (36); Botswana Congress Party (BCP) (15); Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) (5); Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) (4); Other (1)
percentage of women in chamber:9%
expected date of next election:October 2029
note:the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members -- 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments

Judicial branch:91

highest court(s):Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and a number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament)
judge selection and term of office:Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70
subordinate courts:Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court

Political parties:92

Alliance of Progressives or AP

Botswana Congress Party or BCP

Botswana Democratic Party or BDP

Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO]Botswana Patriotic Front or BPF

Botswana Peoples Party or BPP

Botswana Republic Party or BRP

Umbrella for Democratic Change or UDC (various times the coalition has included the BPP, BCP, BNF and other parties)

Diplomatic representation in the US:93

chief of mission:Ambassador Mpho Churchill MOPHUTING (since 18 September 2024)
chancery:1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:[1] (202) 244-4990
FAX:[1] (202) 244-4164
email address and website
email address and website:info@botswanaembassy.org
email address and website:http://www.botswanaembassy.org/

Diplomatic representation from the US:94

chief of mission:Ambassador Howard A. VAN VRANKEN (since 24 May 2023)
embassy:Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address:2170 Gaborone Place, Washington DC 20521-2170
telephone:[267] 395-3982
FAX:[267] 318-0232
email address and website
email address and website:ConsularGaborone@state.gov
email address and website:https://bw.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation:95

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence:96

30 September 1966 (from the UK)

National holiday:97

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Flag:98

description:light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe across the middle
meaning:the blue symbolizes rainwater, and the black and white bands represent racial harmony

National symbol(s):99

zebra

National color(s):100

light blue, white, black

National coat of arms:101

the two zebras, the country’s national symbol, support an elephant tusk that represents the country's fauna and a head of sorghum that signifies agriculture; the three wavy blue bands stand for the country’s reliance on water, the cog wheels for industry, and the bull’s head for the cattle industry; the coat of arms also features the national colors of light blue, white, and black; the motto reflects the scarcity of rain in the country: pula means “let there be rain” in Setswana, the national language

National anthem(s):102

title:"Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)
lyrics/music:Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE
history:adopted 1966

National heritage:103

total World Heritage Sites:2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales:Tsodilo Hills (c); Okavango Delta (n)

Economy

Economic overview:104

good economic governance and financial management; diamond-driven growth model declining; rapid poverty reductions; high unemployment, particularly among youth; COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow; public sector wages have posed fiscal challenges

Real GDP (purchasing power parity):105

$45.553 billion (2024 est.)

$46.957 billion (2023 est.)

$45.498 billion (2022 est.)

note:data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate:106

-3% (2024 est.)

3.2% (2023 est.)

5.5% (2022 est.)

note:annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita:107

$18,100 (2024 est.)

$18,900 (2023 est.)

$18,600 (2022 est.)

note:data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):108

GDP: 19,928,479,839.45 current US dollars (2025)

$19.401 billion (2024 est.)

note:data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices):110

2.8% (2024 est.)

5.1% (2023 est.)

11.7% (2022 est.)

note:annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin:111

agriculture:1.7% (2024 est.)
industry:29.4% (2024 est.)
services:63.5% (2024 est.)
note:figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use:112

household consumption:45.3% (2024 est.)
government consumption:32.1% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital:28.5% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories:7.7% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services:26% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services:-40.9% (2024 est.)
note:figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products:113

root vegetables, beef, vegetables, sorghum, maize, game meat, milk, watermelons, goat milk, sunflower seeds (2023)

note:top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries:114

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles

Industrial production growth rate:115

-13.5% (2024 est.)

note:annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force:116

1.173 million (2024 est.)

note:number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate:117

23.2% (2024 est.)

23.4% (2023 est.)

23.7% (2022 est.)

note:% of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):118

total:43.9% (2024 est.)
male:39.8% (2024 est.)
female:48.6% (2024 est.)
note:% of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line:119

16.1% (2015 est.)

note:% of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:120

54.9 (2015 est.)

note:index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share:121

lowest 10%:1.4% (2015 est.)
highest 10%:42.9% (2015 est.)
note:% share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances:122

0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)

0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)

0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

note:personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget:123

revenues:$5.474 billion (2024 est.)
expenditures:$6.296 billion (2024 est.)
note:central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt:124

19.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

note:central government debt as a % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues:125

19.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note:central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance:126

-$116.727 million (2023 est.)

-$232.122 million (2022 est.)

-$314.583 million (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports:127

$6.398 billion (2023 est.)

$8.914 billion (2022 est.)

$7.861 billion (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners:128

UAE 27%, India 17%, Belgium 16%, South Africa 8%, USA 7% (2023)

note:top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities:129

diamonds, copper ore, insulated wire, carbonates, cattle (2023)

note:top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports:130

$7.228 billion (2023 est.)

$8.826 billion (2022 est.)

$9.25 billion (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners:131

South Africa 65%, Namibia 8%, Canada 5%, China 3%, India 3% (2023)

note:top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities:132

refined petroleum, diamonds, cars, flavored water, electricity (2023)

note:top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:133

$3.456 billion (2024 est.)

$4.756 billion (2023 est.)

$4.279 billion (2022 est.)

note:holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Debt - external:134

$1.761 billion (2023 est.)

note:present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates:135

Currency:pulas (BWP) per US dollar -

13.563 (2024 est.)

13.596 (2023 est.)

12.369 (2022 est.)

11.087 (2021 est.)

11.456 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:136

electrification - total population:75.9% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas:95.5%
electrification - rural areas:25%

Electricity:137

installed generating capacity:758,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption:3.879 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports:2 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports:1.923 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses:625.694 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources:138

fossil fuels:99.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar:0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal:139

production:2.242 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption:1.351 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports:891,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports:300 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves:1.66 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum:140

refined petroleum consumption:22,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita:141

Total energy consumption per capita 2023:32.443 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:142

total subscriptions:90,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:4 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular:143

total subscriptions:4.44 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:165 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media:144

2 TV stations, 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 4 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2019)

Internet country code:145

.bw

Internet users:146

percent of population:81% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions:147

total:85,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:3 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:148

A2

Airports:149

122 (2025)

Railways:150

total:888 km (2014)
narrow gauge:888 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

Military and Security

Military and security forces:151

Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2025)

note 1:both the BDF and the Botswana Police Service (BPS) report to the Ministry of Defense, Justice and Security; the BPS has primary responsibility for internal security
note 2:the Ground Force Command includes a marine unit with boats and river craft for patrolling Botswana's internal waterways and supporting anti-poaching operations

Military expenditures:152

3% of GDP (2024 est.)

2.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

2.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

3% of GDP (2021 est.)

3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths:153

estimated 10,000 active Botswana Defense Force (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:154

the BDF has a mix of mostly older weapons and equipment, largely of Western/European origin; in recent years, it has received limited amounts of material from several European countries and the US (2024)

Military service age and obligation:155

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)

Military - note:156

the key responsibilities of the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) are defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity on land and in the air, ensuring national security and stability, and aiding civil authorities in support of domestic missions such as disaster relief and anti-poaching; the BDF also participates in regional and international security operations

Bechuanaland/Botswana did not have a permanent military during colonial times, with the British colonial administrators relying instead on small, lightly armed constabularies such as the Bechuanaland Mounted Police, the Bechuanaland Border Police, and by the early 1960s, the Police Mobile Unit (PMU); after independence in 1966, Botswana militarized the PMU and gave it responsibility for the country’s defense rather than create a conventional military force; however, turmoil in neighboring countries and numerous cross-border incursions by Rhodesian and South African security forces in the 1960s and 1970s demonstrated that the PMU was inadequate for defending the country and led to the establishment of the BDF in 1977 (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons:157

refugees:823 (2024 est.)
IDPs:99 (2023 est.)

Additional observations

Real GDP growth158
-0.73 % annual change (2025)
Consumer price inflation159
2.66 % annual change (2025)
Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate)160
24.48 % of labor force (2025)
Access to electricity161
80.2 % of population (2024)
Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption162
27.4 % (2021)
Individuals using the internet163
57.46 % of population (2024)
Adult literacy rate164
81.19 % of people aged 15 and over (2003)

Historical observations

Notes & sources

  1. Background. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  2. Location. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  3. Geographic coordinates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  4. Map references. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  5. Area. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 581,730 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 581,730 square kilometers. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  6. Surface area. Surface area: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 581,730 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 581,730 square kilometers. ↩
  7. Area - comparative. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  8. Land boundaries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  9. Coastline. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  10. Maritime claims. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  11. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  12. Terrain. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  13. Elevation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  14. Natural resources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  15. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  16. Irrigated land. Reference edition; observation: 2014. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  17. Major rivers (by length in km). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  18. Major watersheds (area sq km). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  19. Major aquifers. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  20. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  21. Natural hazards. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  22. Geography - note. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  23. Population. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 2,562,122 people (2025). Reference: 2,450,668 people (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  24. Population. Population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 2,562,122 people (2025). Reference: 2,450,668 people (2024). ↩
  25. Nationality. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  26. Ethnic groups. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  27. Languages. Reference edition; observation: 2011 est.. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  28. Religions. Reference edition; observation: 2011 est.. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  29. Age structure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  30. Dependency ratios. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  31. Median age. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  32. Population growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  33. Population growth rate. Population growth rate: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  34. Birth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  35. Crude birth rate. Crude birth rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  36. Death rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  37. Crude death rate. Crude death rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  38. Net migration rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  39. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  40. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  41. Urban population. Urban population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  42. Major urban areas - population. Reference edition; observation: 2018. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  43. Sex ratio. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  44. Maternal mortality ratio. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  45. Maternal mortality ratio. Maternal mortality ratio: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  46. Infant mortality rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  47. Infant mortality rate. Infant mortality rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  48. Life expectancy at birth. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  49. Life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy at birth: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  50. Total fertility rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  51. Total fertility rate. Total fertility rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  52. Gross reproduction rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  53. Drinking water source. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  54. At least basic drinking water services. At least basic drinking water services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  55. Health expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  56. Current health expenditure. Current health expenditure: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  57. Physician density. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  58. Physicians. Physicians: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  59. Hospital bed density. Reference edition; observation: 2021. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  60. Sanitation facility access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  61. At least basic sanitation services. At least basic sanitation services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  62. Obesity - adult prevalence rate. Reference edition; observation: 2016. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  63. Alcohol consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  64. Tobacco use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  65. Currently married women (ages 15-49). Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  66. Education expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  67. Government education expenditure. Government education expenditure: observation 2020; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  68. School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  69. Environmental issues. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  70. International environmental agreements. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  71. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  72. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  73. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  74. Carbon dioxide emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  75. Particulate matter emissions. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  76. Methane emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  77. Waste and recycling. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  78. Total water withdrawal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  79. Total renewable water resources. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  80. Country name. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  81. Government type. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  82. Capital. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  83. Administrative divisions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  84. Legal system. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  85. Constitution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  86. International law organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  87. Citizenship. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  88. Suffrage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  89. Executive branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  90. Legislative branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  91. Judicial branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  92. Political parties. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  93. Diplomatic representation in the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  94. Diplomatic representation from the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  95. International organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  96. Independence. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  97. National holiday. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  98. Flag. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  99. National symbol(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  100. National color(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  101. National coat of arms. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  102. National anthem(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  103. National heritage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  104. Economic overview. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  105. Real GDP (purchasing power parity). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  106. Real GDP growth rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  107. Real GDP per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  108. GDP (official exchange rate). Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 19,928,479,839.45 current US dollars (2025). Reference: 19,401,000,000 current US dollars (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  109. GDP. GDP: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 19,928,479,839.45 current US dollars (2025). Reference: 19,401,000,000 current US dollars (2024). ↩
  110. Inflation rate (consumer prices). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  111. GDP - composition, by sector of origin. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  112. GDP - composition, by end use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  113. Agricultural products. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  114. Industries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  115. Industrial production growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  116. Labor force. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  117. Unemployment rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  118. Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  119. Population below poverty line. Reference edition; observation: 2015. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  120. Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  121. Household income or consumption by percentage share. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  122. Remittances. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  123. Budget. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  124. Public debt. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  125. Taxes and other revenues. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  126. Current account balance. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  127. Exports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  128. Exports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  129. Exports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  130. Imports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  131. Imports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  132. Imports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  133. Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  134. Debt - external. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  135. Exchange rates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  136. Electricity access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  137. Electricity. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  138. Electricity generation sources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  139. Coal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  140. Petroleum. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  141. Energy consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  142. Telephones - fixed lines. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  143. Telephones - mobile cellular. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  144. Broadcast media. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  145. Internet country code. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  146. Internet users. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  147. Broadband - fixed subscriptions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  148. Civil aircraft registration country code prefix. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  149. Airports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  150. Railways. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  151. Military and security forces. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  152. Military expenditures. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  153. Military and security service personnel strengths. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  154. Military equipment inventories and acquisitions. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  155. Military service age and obligation. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  156. Military - note. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  157. Refugees and internally displaced persons. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 10:05:12 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  158. Real GDP growth. Real GDP growth: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This indicator denotes the percentage change over each previous year of the constant price (base year 2015) series in United States dollars. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?format=json ↩
  159. Consumer price inflation. Consumer price inflation: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Inflation as measured by the consumer price index reflects the annual percentage change in the cost to the average consumer of acquiring a basket of goods and services that may be fixed or changed at specified intervals, such as yearly. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?format=json ↩
  160. Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate). Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate): observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. The ILO modeled estimate is not necessarily directly comparable with national unemployment measures. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?format=json ↩
  161. Access to electricity. Access to electricity: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?format=json ↩
  162. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption: observation 2021; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewable energy consumption is the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS?format=json ↩
  163. Individuals using the internet. Individuals using the internet: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?format=json ↩
  164. Adult literacy rate. Adult literacy rate: observation 2003; checked 2026-10-29; primary source checked. World Bank World Development Indicators. Primary source checked 2026-10-29T19:36:25.784Z. provider release 2026-10-08. source organization Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), uri: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/resources, note: The data are obtained through the UIS API. Detailed documentation is available at: https://api.uis.unesco.org/api/public/documentation/, publisher: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), type: Excel (bulk file), date accessed: 2026-03-19, date published: 2026-02. definition Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above). Original provider-reported country/economy series; unchanged historical boundaries are not asserted. Checked original WDI publication and metadata, not independent corroboration. ↩
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Countries & territories

Same-year values. Equal values share a rank.

Sources & method

Ranks cover available countries and territories, using the same indicator, source unit and reference year. Unrounded source values determine ties. Coverage is not a sovereign-country or complete global ranking; national definitions may differ. Missing values and other years are excluded. The information icon preserves the original number, unit and evidence.

RankCountry or territoryValue
Source information